Engineering Aspects of Hydrocarbon Steam Reforming Catalysts

Steam reforming remains the leading technology for the production of synthesis gas, which is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of chemicals (e.g. ammonia, methanol, acetic acid), and for the manufacture of transportation fuels via the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. Synthesis gas has more recently been considered as a route for the generation of clean power. Over the years, catalysts have been optimised to enhance plant reliability, reduce capital costs and to maximise plant thermal efficiency. The catalysis of steam reforming under standard industrial operating conditions has been operating successfully for many years with little development in terms of the catalysis itself. Most of the development of steam reforming catalysts over the past several decades has been on the engineering performance of these catalysts at the macro scale, or in the steam reforming reactors to better utilise the catalyst. The engineering challenges of steam reforming catalysts and future development trends will be discussed.